Israel and Greece have signed a €3 billion ($3.5 billion) defence agreement that will see Israel build a comprehensive, multi-layered air defence system for Greece, marking the largest defence export deal between the two countries.
Known as the “Achilles Shield”, the agreement will combine several Israeli-made systems designed to protect Greece against a range of threats, including ballistic missiles, aircraft, cruise missiles and drones. The package includes David’s Sling and SPYDER systems from Rafael, as well as the BARAK MX system and MMR multi-mission radars from Israel Aerospace Industries.
The deal also includes a new national command-and-control system developed by Rafael that will integrate Greece’s different air defence capabilities into a coordinated network. A separate €26 million agreement will provide Rafael’s Drone Dome systems to protect strategic sites against unmanned aerial vehicles.
Greece has been undertaking a major military modernisation programme as regional security concerns increase. Athens plans to spend about €28 billion through 2036 on air and missile defence, F-35 fighter jets and naval capabilities, among other military investments.
The agreement further strengthens the growing strategic relationship between Israel and Greece, particularly as both countries seek to respond to evolving security challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean. Greece also maintains longstanding tensions with neighbouring Turkey, contributing to its relatively high defence spending among NATO members.
The deal will include technology transfers and expanded cooperation with Greek defence industries, allowing local companies to gain expertise as part of the wider programme. For Israel, the agreement represents a major boost to its defence industry and international arms exports, while Greece gains an integrated air defence architecture designed to provide protection across multiple threat ranges.
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